Accordion vacuum tube relief

ABSTRACT

A powered blower/vacuum unit includes a base portion having a housing and a power air-moving device for creating an air stream. A generally rigid, elongate tube is adapted to permit at least the air stream to flow through the tube. The tube includes a fluid inlet disposed at a first end, a fluid outlet disposed at a second end, and at least one accordion relief structure disposed generally between the first and second ends and adapted to act as a resilient shock absorber. In one example, the accordion relief structure includes at least one internal rib and at least one intermediate flexible section located adjacent to each internal rib. In another example, a coupler is adapted to be removably attached to the housing and non-removably attached to the tube. In another example, a portion of the accordion relief structure is adapted to act as a positive stop for the coupler.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of applicationSer. No. 11/754,599, filed May 29, 2007, the entire disclosure of whichis hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a blower or vacuum unit, forperforming a blowing or vacuuming operation, and more particularly, to atube configured for at least air flow that includes an accordion reliefstructure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Existing blower designs use a single-piece blow molded tube with abayonet-style attachment configuration info injection molded housings.Specifically, the designs include a twist-lock or bayonet-styleretaining features. These types of designs require excessive assemblyengagement to ensure a robust assembly and they do not facilitate a lowprofile housing when the tube is not installed. One solution cangenerally include a coupler that is retained in the tube in a positivemanner to prevent accidental disassembly or breakage. However currentdesigns for supporting the coupler could result in the coupler beingpushed too far into the tube if greater forces are applied.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order toprovide a basic understanding of some example aspects of the invention.This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. Moreover,this summary is not intended to identify critical elements of theinvention nor delineate the scope of the invention. The sole purpose ofthe summary is to present some concepts of the invention in simplifiedform as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presentedlater.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a poweredblower/vacuum unit is provided for performing a blowing/vacuumingoperation. The powered unit includes a base portion having a housing anda power air-moving device disposed therein for creating an air stream,and a generally rigid, elongate tube extending a relatively largedistance away from the housing and adapted to permit at least the airstream to flow through the tube along the relatively large distance. Thetube further includes a fluid inlet disposed at a first end of the tube,a fluid outlet disposed at a second end of the tube, and at least oneaccordion relief structure disposed generally between the first end andthe second end of the tube. The accordion relief structure is adapted toact as a resilient shock absorber responsive to forces applied to thetube.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a poweredblower/Vacuum unit is provided for performing a blowing/vacuumingoperation. The powered unit includes a base portion having a housing anda power air-moving device disposed therein for creating an air stream,and a coupler adapted to be removably attached to the housing. Thepowered unit further includes a generally rigid, elongate tube extendinga relatively large distance away from the housing and adapted to permitat least the air stream to flow through the tube along the relativelylarge distance. The tube further includes a fluid inlet disposed at afirst and of the tube, a fluid outlet disposed at a second end of thetube, and at least one accordion relief structure disposed generallybetween the first end and the second end of the tube. The accordionrelief structure is adapted to act as a resilient shock absorberresponsive to forces applied to the tube. The tube is non-removablyattached to the coupler, and a portion of the accordion relief structureis adapted to act as a positive slop for the coupler.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a poweredblower/Vacuum unit is provided for performing a blowing/vacuumingoperation. The powered unit includes a base portion having a housing anda power air-moving device disposed therein for creating an air stream,and a coupler adapted to be removably attached to the housing. Thepowered unit further includes a generally rigid, elongate vacuum tubeattached to the coupler and extending a relatively large distance awayfrom the housing and adapted to ingest debris in addition to the airstream so as to flow through the tube along the relatively largedistance. The tube further includes a fluid inlet disposed at a firstend of the tube, a fluid outlet disposed at a second end of the tube,and at least one accordion relief structure disposed generally betweenthe first end and the second end of the tube. The accordion reliefstructure includes at least one internal rib and at least oneintermediate flexible section located adjacent to each internal rib. Theaccordion relief structure is adapted to collapse and expand to absorbforces applied to the tube so as to inhibit inadvertent detachment ofthe coupler born the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and oilier aspects of the present invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art to which the present inventionrelates upon reading the following description with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example powered blower/vacuum unit inaccordance with an aspect of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exploded assembly of an examplepowered unit and shows a tube fragment a coupler, and a housing beforethey are placed in engagement with one another;

FIG. 3 is a sectional side view along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 of the couplerand the tube during an assembly step;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the coupler in engagement with the tubefragment;

FIG. 5 is a sectional side view along line 5-5 of FIG. 4 of the couplerin engagement with the tube fragment;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the coupler;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the coupler in engagement with the tubefragment; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the housing in engagement with thecoupler, winch is in engagement with the tube.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Example embodiments that incorporate one or more aspects of the presentinvention are described and illustrated in the drawings. Theseillustrated examples are not intended to be a limitation or; the presentinvention. For example, one or more aspects of the present invention canbe utilized in other embodiments and even other types of devices.Moreover, certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and isnot to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. Still further,in the drawings, the same reference numerals are employed fordesignating the same elements.

Turning to the shown example of FIG. 1, it is to be appreciated that apowered unit 10 is provided that performs a blowing or vacuumingoperation, such as a blower, vacuum, and/or blower/vac unit. Manydifferent embodiments and configurations are contemplated by the subjectinvention. The powered unit 10 can even be capable of a user selectingbetween a blowing or vacuuming operation (e.g., a blower/vac). Thepowered unit 10 includes a base portion 12, a tube 14, and a coupler 18.As seen in FIG. 2, an exploded assembly of the base portion 12, thecoupler 18, and the tube 14 are shown. FIG. 1 also shows an exampleorientation of the tube 14, the coupler 18, and the base portion 12before they are each placed in engagement with one another in thesubject invention. The base portion 12 includes a housing 20 and a powerair-moving device (not shown) that can include many differentembodiments, such as axial or centrifugal fans, impellers, etc, forcreating an air stream. As can be appreciated, the air-moving device cancreate an intake air stream (e.g., a vacuum air stream for suction)and/or an exhaust air stream (e.g., a pressured air stream for blowing).Thus, the housing 20 can include an intake opening 22 (see FIG. 3) andan exhaust opening 23, such as may be connected to a blower tube, debriscollection bag, etc. (not shown). The air-moving device can be poweredby an electric motor or a gasoline engine (not shown), and can adaptedfor use as a vacuum device and/or blower device. A handle 19 can beprovided on the powered unit 10, and it is appreciated that many typesof handle configurations are possible.

The housing 20 has the opening 22 and a structure that accommodates thepower air-moving device. The air-moving device and the associatedstructure for accommodating the air-moving device are within thecomprehension of the person of ordinary skill in the art and are notdiscussed in detail herein. The opening 22 in the housing 20 provides anairflow path between the powered air-moving device, the coupler 18, andthe tube 14. In some embodiments, the housing 20 can be only part of thebase portion 12 and the housing 20 can engage an additional housingportion (not shown). In other embodiments, the housing 20 can be theonly structure that engages the power air-moving device. In theembodiment shown, the housing 20 includes one portion with a generallycircular shape, though various other shapes can be used.

The tube 14 is generally rigid and elongate, and can extend a relativelylarge distance away from the housing 20. The tube 14 is substantiallycylindrical, though other shapes can be used. As seen in FIGS. 1-4, thetube 14 has a tube opening 16 (e.g., a fluid outlet) and at least theair stream air flows to or from the housing 20 through the tube openingid ever a relatively large distance. As previously stated, the tube 14can be a vacuum lube for ingesting debris in addition to air, and/or thelube 14 can also be a blower tube for ejecting air. In the shownexample, the tube 14 is formed by a first manufacturing operation whichcan be a blow molding operation using a blow-molded material, thoughother operations can be used. In an example shown in FIGS. 1-5, the tube14 includes a fluid inlet 29 located at a first end 26 of the tube 14,and a fluid outlet 16 located at a second end 27 of the tube 14. It isappreciated that different lengths and shapes of the tube 14 can beutilized. For example, the tube 14 can include a monolithic body, or itcan also be formed by attaching two or more separate tubes together.

The tube 14 can be retained on the housing 20 in various manners. In oneexample, one end of the tube 14 can include locking structure, such as abayonet connection, for direct engagement with corresponding structureon the housing 20. In another example, the tube 14 can be indirectlyconnected the housing 20 by way of an intermediate coupler 18. Forexample, as seen in FIGS. 6-8, the coupler 18 can have a substantiallycylindrical shape, though various other shapes and dimensions can beused for the coupler 18. The coupler 18 is configured for coupling thetube 14 to the housing 20, and FIG. 3 shows the coupler 18 before it isplaced in engagement with the tube 14. The coupler 18 can have arelatively short extent or dimension in relation to the tube 14 and thetube 14 can have a relatively longer extent or dimension, in oneexample, the tube 14 can have a length greater than 24 inches and thecoupler 18 can have a length less than ½ inches. In another example, aportion 42 of the tube 14 can overlap the coupler 13 when the tube 14and the coupler 18 are in engagement, as seen in FIG. 7, though otherarrangements are possible depending on the type of non-removableattachment structure located on the coupler 18 and located on the tube14. The portion 42 of the tubs 14 that overlaps the coupler 18 can havea length less than ½ inch. In another example, a portion of the coupler18 can overlap a portion of the housing 20, as generally seen in FIG. 8.The portion of the coupler 18 that overlaps the portion of the housing20 can have a length less than ½ inch. Of course, other overlappingarrangements can be achieved with the subject invention. The coupler 18can also have a rigidity that is greater than a rigidity of the tube 14.The rigidity of the coupler 18 can be greater then the rigidity of thetube 14 by the selection of a different manufacturing operation.

In the shown example, the coupler 18 is made of an injection moldedmaterial separate from the tube 14 and the coupler 18 is formed by asecond manufacturing operation, such as an injection molding operation.As another example, the coupler 18 may be stronger and/or thicker ascompared to a blow molded tube of the prior art designs. The coupler 18can be formed by a second, different manufacturing operation. The secondmanufacturing operation, in one embodiment, can be an injection moldingprocess and include heating a material. As yet another example, thecoupler 18 can have a rigidity that is greater than the rigidity of thetube 14.

In a second embodiment shown in FIG. 6 the coupler 18 includes a firstportion 56 that engages the housing 20 and includes a second portion 58that engages the tube 14. The first portion 56 of the coupler 18 issized for insertion into the housing 20. The second portion 58 of thecoupler 18 can be sized not to fit into the housing 20 and can act as ashoulder against the outside of the housing 20.

The coupler 18 can be non-removably attached to the tube 14. In oneexample of this non-removable attachment, the coupler 18 has a pluralityof one-way snap-in features 30 located on an exterior surface 36 of thecoupler 18, as seen in FIGS. 2-5. The one-way snap-in 30 features areconfigured for non-removably attaching the coupler 18 to the tube 14. Inthe shown example, the one-way snap-in features 30 on the coupler 18includes protrusions 32 with angled front surfaces 34. The tube 14 has aplurality of receiver features 38. The receiver features 38 can includeapertures 40 for receiving and securing the one-way snap-in features 30.For example, the protrusions 32 can slide into the receiver features 38and the protrusions 32 then become engaged in the apertures 40. In thisembodiment, the protrusions 32 not only engage the apertures 40 but theprotrusions 32 also can extend through the apertures 40, as seen in FIG.4. The receiver features 38 in this embodiment include angled openingsthat extend away from the structure of the lube 14 to facilitateassembly. Other types of receiver features can be utilized withouthaving structures that are angled. The snap-in features 30 areconfigured to engage the plurality of receiver features 38 tonon-removably attach the coupler 18 to the tube 14. Of course, theampler 18 can also be adapted to be removable from the tube 14, such asby releasing the snap-in features 30 from the receiver features 38. Forexample, though the aforedescribed connection is generallynon-removable, the snap-in features 30 can be forced backwards out ofthe receiver features 38 for releasing the coupler 18 from the tube 14.

In the example shown in FIGS. 2-4, the angled from surfaces 34 provide ameans for the one-way snap-in features 30 to easily slide intoengagement with the receiver features 38. The angled front surfaces 34enable the one-way snap-in features 30 to slide into a secured positionwhere each protrusion 32 is surrounded by a receiver feature 38. Othertypes of structures or protrusions, with varying shapes, dimensions, andorientations can be used to provide a snap-in engagement between thecoupler 18 and the tube 14. In another example, non-removably attachingthe coupler 18 to the tube 14 can include engaging the plurality ofreceiver features 38 to the one-way snap-in features 30 white thecoupler 18 is still warm to permit the tube 14 to cool and form aboutthe coupler 18.

In other embodiments, other structures can be used that are configuredfor non-removably attaching the tube 14 to the coupler 18. For example,the tube 14 can be attached to the coupler 18 by the use of variousfasteners or adhesives. A fastener or adhesive structure can engage thetube 14 to non-removably attach the tube 14 to the coupler 18.Alternatively, the tube 14 can also be attached to the coupler 18 by theuse of a material distortion operation, such as welding or staking. Thetube 14 can also be configured for non-removable attachment with thecoupler by the use of various combinations of different structures, suchas using snap-in features 30. In combination with other fasteners,adhesives, or material distortion operations. In yet another example,the coupler 18 can be attached to the tube 14 at a time after therespective heated molding operations (e.g., the first and secondmanufacturing operations), though at a time before either or both of thetube 14 and coupler 18 have cooled. Thus, the tube 14 and coupler 18 cancool together as a joined assembly to provide an increased fit and/orjoining strength.

The tube 14 can include various structures to inhibit inadvertentremoval of the tribe 14 from the housing 20, such as might accidentallyoccur during operation of the power tool, in one example, at least oneaccordion relief structure 80 can be provided between the first end 25and the second end 27 of the tube 14. The accordion relief structure 60can be configured to act as a resilient shock absorber. The accordionrelief structure 60 can include at least one internal rib 62A and atleast one intermediate flexible section 66 located adjacent thereto. Ofcourse, the accordion relief structure 60 can include a plurality ofinternal ribs 62A, 62B, 62C that can include various intermediateflexible sections 66 therebetween. Each internal rib 62A, 62B, 62C canbe a structure, such as a protrusion, that is located inside the tube 14along an internal surface of the tube 14. In other examples, eachinternal rib 62A, 028, 62C can include multiple structures, such as aplurality of protrusions that are located in the same plane along aninternal surface of the tube 14. Each intermediate flexible section 66can be manufactured from various materials that are flexible, even ifthe material is different than the material that the tube 14 ismanufactured from. Of course, as shown, the internal ribs 62A, 82B, 62Cand the intermediate flexible sections 66 can have a generally annulargeometry consistent with the generally cylindrical geometry of the tube14, can be formed of the same material as the tube 14, and/or can evenbe formed with the tube 14 during the first manufacturing process.

The accordion relief structure 60 acts as a resilient shock absorber forthe tube 14 to absorb various forces applied to the tube 14 during use.For example, the accordion relief structure 60 can absorb forces appliedalong the longitudinal axis of the lube 14, such as might be encounteredwhen the first end 25 of the tube 14 strikes the ground or ether objectduring a vacuuming operation, in other examples, the accordion reliefstructure 60 can absorb forces applied along a transverse axis of thetube 14 or even venous other compound angles relative to the tube 14.

To provide shock absorption, the first internal rib 62A can be generallyrigid and remain in contact with the coupler 18 while the intermediatesections 86 are flexible, as seen in FIG. 4. In this manner, theaccordion relief structure 60 provides some flexibility for the tube 14and the powered unit 10. The accordion relief structure 60 enables thetube 14 to flex generally about the intermediate flexible sections 6 b.Thus, the accordion relief structure 60 can compress and/or expand toreduce the stress from impacts and the like during use (e.g., Impactswith the ground or other objects) that are otherwise transferred to thefeatures of the tube 14 that support the coupler 18 and the connectionto the housing 20. As such, it is less likely that the coupler 16 and/ortube 14 will inadvertently break away from the housing 20.

As can be appreciated, the accordion relief structure 60 can be locatedat various positions, such as in the middle of the tube 14 or at an endof the tribe 14. In addition or alternatively, the tube 14 can includemultiple accordion relief structures 60 (e.g. one located near an endand another located near the middle of the tube 14). Further, more orless internal ribs 62A, 62B, 62C can also be included, in otherembodiments, the accordion relief structure 60 can include geometrywhere the intermediate sections 66 have a dimension that is equal to thediameter of the tribe 14 or even geometry that is larger than thediameter of the tube 14. In other embodiments, the dimensions of theribs 62A, 628, 62C and the intermediate sections 06 can be varied inrelation to each other and the ribs 62A, 628, 62C and the intermediatesections 68 can have different dimensions throughout the length of thetube 14. Alternatively, the intermediate flexible sections 66 can alsoinclude structure that is compressible and/or expandable uponapplication of a force.

In the shown embodiment, the intermediate flexible sections 66 arereactive to forces applied to the tube 14. In another exampleembodiment, a portion of the accordion relief structure 60 can beconfigured to act as a positive stop to prevent the coupler 18 frombeing inserted fee deeply into the tube 14 when the coupler 18 isassembled onto the tube 14. For example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, thefirst infernal no 62A can be configured to act as a shelf to support anend face 31 of the coupler 18. Thus, in one example, the coupler 18 canbe inserted into the tube opening 16 until the end face 31 abuts thefirst internal rib 62A so as to position the coupler 18 relative to thetube 14. Alternatively, a relatively small gap can be provided betweenthe end face 31 and the first internal rib 62A.

The combination of the snap-in features 30 and the accordion reliefstructure 60 provides a system that permits relative movement ofportions of the tube 14, while limiting movement of the coupler 18relative to the tube 14. Thus, by providing the snap-in features 30 incombination with the accordion relief structure 60, the coupler 18 isprevented from movement in multiple axes to further reduce accidentaldisassembly or breakage from the coupler 18 being removed from the tube14, and/or accidental removal of the coupler 18 from the housing 20.

To attach the tube 14 and coupler 18 to the housing 20, as shown in FIG.2 and FIG. 8, the opening 22 on the housing 20 can include at least onemate component 44 that can be located on an inner edge 48 of the opening22 of the housing 20. The at least one male component 44 can be locatedin different locations and different orientations with respect to theopening 22. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the male components 44can have a generally rectangular shape, though other shapes can beutilized. The number of male components 44 does not necessarilycorrespond with the number of one-way snap-in features 30 on the coupler18. For example, there can be three male components 44 and four one-waysnap-in features 30.

As seen in FIG. 6, the coupler 18 can have at least one complementaryfemale component 46 located on the coupler 18. Each female component 48is configured to engage the complementary male component 44 for securingthe coupler 18 to the housing 20. Coupling can be performed by havingmale components 44, located on an opening 22 of the housing 20, whichengage female components 46, located on the coupler 13. In this example,the first portion 56 of the coupler 18 also includes each femalecomponent 48 that is configured to engage the complementary malecomponent 44 for securing the coupler 18 to the housing 20. The firstportion 56 can be configured to engage the complementary male component44 for securing the coupler 18 to the housing 20. The second portion 58can include the one-way snap-in features 30 and the second portion 58can be sized for engagement with the tube 14.

FIG. 8 shows one example of the assembly after the housing 20 is placedin engagement with the coupler 18, which is in engagement with the tube14, FIG. 8 generally shows the coupler 13 and the tube 14 in a securedposition 54 with the housing 20. In another embodiment, the couplingaction can be performed by twisting the tube 14 into the securedposition 54 due to a bayonet connection between the coupler 18 and thehousing 20, in one example of the bayonet connection, each femalecomponent 46 can include an axially-extending insertion area 50 that isconfigured for insertion of the male component 44. Atransversely-extending sliding area 52 can also be provided that isconfigured for each male component 44 to reach a secured position 54.FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of an example coupler 18 and showsspecifically the axially-extending insertion area 50 and thetransversely-extending sliding area 62. In an alternative embodiment thecoupler 18 is non-removably attached to the tube 14, either by snap-infeatures, a material distortion operation, at least one fastener, or bythe use of at least one adhesive. The housing 20 in this embodimentincludes at least one male component 44 located at an opening 22 of thehousing 20. Accordingly, once the tube 14 is in engagement with thecoupler 18, the tube 14 is secured with the housing 20 by positioningthe coupler 18 to receive the male components 44 from the housing 20.The male component 44 of the housing 20 can enter the axially-extendinginsertion area 50 and can be inserted as far as it can move in an axialdirection. The tube 14 and the coupler 18 can then be twisted to movethe male component 44 within the transversely-extending sliding area 62.The male component 44 is moved as tar as possible in thetransversely-extending sliding area 52 by twisting the tube 14 to placethe assembly in the secured position 54 (seen in FIG. 6). The malecomponent 44 securely engages the coupler 18 to the tube 14 and thecoupler 18 to the housing 20 when the assembly is in the securedposition 54. In the secured position 54, the tube 14 end the coupler 18are secured to the housing 20 because another twisting motion is neededto move the male component 44 to a position where the tube 14 and thecoupler 18 can be removed from the housing 20. The length of theanally-extending insertion area 50 can be less than 1 inch in oneembodiment. The coupler 18 in this example can also have sufficientrigidity to retain the coupler 18 with the attached tube 14 onto thehousing 20. Many different shapes for the male component 44 and thefemale component 46 are possible for obtaining a bayonet connectionbetween the coupler 18 and the tube 14. The female component 48 can alsoinduce multiple segments of insertion areas and sliding areas as well asdifferent shaped insertion areas and sliding areas.

In the example embodiment shown, the at least one male component 44protrudes inwards towards a center of the opening 22 and the femalecomponents 46 can protrude inwards, as best seen in FIG. 2, tocomplement the male components 44 that protrude inwards. The overallsize of the housing 20, which can be molded, can be reduced whencompared to alternative and prior art tube attachment styles by havingat least one male component that protrudes inwards as opposed to themale components protruding in a transverse direction.

The invention has been described with reference to the exampleembodiments described above. Modifications and alterations will occur toothers upon a reading and understanding of this specification. Exampleembodiments incorporating one or more aspects of the invention areintended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar asthey come within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A powered blower/vacuum unit for performing a blowing/vacuumingoperation, the powered unit including: a base portion having a housingand a power air-moving device disposed therein for creating an airstream: and a generally rigid, elongate tube extending a relativelylarge distance away from the housing and adapted to permit at least theair stream to flow through the tube alone the relatively large distance,the tube further including: a fluid inlet disposed at a first end of thetube; a fluid outlet disposed at a second end of the tube; and at leastone accordion relief structure disposed generally between the first endand the second end of the tube, and adapted to act as a resilient shockabsorber responsive to forces applied to the tube.
 2. A powered unitaccording to claim 1, wherein the accordion relief structure includes atleast one internal rib and at least one intermediate flexible sectionlocated adjacent to each internal rib.
 3. A powered unit according toclaim 2, wherein each internal rib and each intermediate flexiblesection have a generally annular geometry.
 4. A powered unit accordingto claim 2, wherein each internal rib is generally rigid, and eachintermediate flexible section is generally flexible.
 5. A powered unitaccording to claim 1, wherein the accordion relief structure collapsesand expands to absorb forces applied to the tube.
 6. A powered unitaccording to claim 1, wherein the tube is a vacuum tube adapted toingest debris in addition to the air stream.
 7. A powered unit accordingto claim 1, further including a coupler adapted to couple the time tothe housing, wherein the tube is made of blow-molded material via a blowmolding operation, and the coupler is made of injection molded materialseparate from the tube via an injection molding operation.
 8. A poweredunit according to claim 7, wherein the housing includes an opening andat least one male component located about the opening, and the couplerincludes at least one complementary female component adapted to engagethe at least one male component to form a bayonet connection forsecuring the coupler to the housing.
 9. A powered blower/vacuum unit forperforming a blowing/vacuuming operation, the powered unit including: abase portion having a housing and a power air-moving device disposedtherein for creating an air stream; a coupler adapted to be removablyattached to the housing; and a generally rigid, elongate tube extendinga relatively large distance away from the housing and adapted to permitat least the air stream to flow through the tube along the relativelylarge distance, the tube further including: a fluid inlet disposed at afirst end of the tube; a fluid outlet disposed at a second end of thetube; and at least one accordion relief structure disposed generallybetween the first end and die second end of the tube, and adapted to actas a resilient shock absorber responsive to forces applied to the tube,the tube being non-removably attached to the coupler, a portion of theaccordion relief structure being adapted to act as a positive stop forthe coupler.
 10. A powered unit according to claim 9, wherein theaccordion relief structure includes at least one internal rib and atleast one intermediate flexible section located adjacent to eachinternal rib.
 11. A powered unit according to claim 10, wherein eachinternal rib is generally rigid, and each intermediate flexible sectionis generally flexible.
 12. A powered unit according to claim 10, whereinat least one internal rib is adapted to act as the positive stop for thecoupler.
 13. A powered unit according to claim 9, wherein the accordionrelief structure collapses and expands to absorb forces applied to thetube.
 14. A powered unit according to claim 8, wherein the tube is avacuum tube adapted in ingest debris in addition to the air stream. 15.A powered unit according to claim 8, wherein the tube is made ofblow-molded material via a blow molding operation, and the coupler ismade of injection molded material separate from the tube via aninjection molding operation.
 16. A powered unit according to claim 9,wherein the housing includes an opening and at least one male componentlocated about the opening, and the coupler includes at least onecomplementary female component adapted to engage the at least one malecomponent to form a bayonet connection for securing the coupler to thehousing.
 17. A powered blower/vacuum unit for performing ablowing/vacuuming operation, the powered unit including: a base portionhaving a housing and a power air-moving device disposed therein forcreating an air stream; a coupler adapted to be removably attached tothe housing; and a generally rigid, elongate vacuum tube attached to thecoupler and extending a relatively large distance away from the housingand adapted to ingest debris in addition to the air stream so as to flowthrough the tube along the relatively large distance the tube furtherincluding: a fluid inlet disposed at a first end of the tube; a fluidoutlet disposed at a second end of the tube; at least one accordionrelief structure disposed generally between the first end and the secondend of the tube, and including at least one internal rib and at leastone intermediate flexible section located adjacent to each internal rib,the accordion relief structure being adapted to collapse and expand toabsorb forces applied to the tube so as to inhibit inadvertentdetachment of the coupler from the housing.
 18. A powered unit accordingto claim 17, wherein each internal rib is generally rigid, and eachintermediate flexible section is generally flexible.
 19. A powered unitaccording to claim 17, wherein the tube is made of blow-molded materialvia a blow molding operation, and the coupler is made of injectionmolded material separate from the tube via an injection moldingoperation.
 20. A powered unit according to claim 19, wherein the couplerhas a rigidity that is greater than a rigidity of the tube.
 21. Apowered unit according to claim 17, wherein the housing includes anopening and at least one male component located about the opening, andthe coupler includes at least one complementary female component adaptedto engage the at least one male component to form a bayonet connectionfor securing the coupler to the housing.
 22. A powered unit according toclaim 17, wherein the tube includes a plurality of receiver features andthe coupler includes a plurality of one-way snap-in features adapted toengage the plurality of receiver features, the plurality of one-waysnap-in features being engaged with the plurality of receiver featuresto non-removably attach the coupler to the tube.